The post-Edey Purdue Boilermakers are taking on yet another SEC opponent this year, this time in the form of historically good Auburn.
The Boilers are 2-1 coming off of their first loss to an SEC team this year in Texas A&M. The Aggies took down Purdue in Indianapolis 70-66, in a game in which Purdue had multiple lengthy scoring droughts.
Key No. 1: Score Consistently
Purdue had multiple scoring droughts against Texas A&M, including a 7 minute stretch late in the second half that all but pushed the game out of reach. Purdue's ability to consistently score the basketball will be put to the test against Auburn, and if it cannot, the Boilers will likely falter.
According to Evanmiya.com, Auburn ranks among the top ten nationally in kill shots per game, with a kill shot being defined as a run of 10 or more unanswered points. To pair with that, the Tigers don't concede many either. The Tigers give up 0.27 per game while going on 1.27 per game.
In comparison, Purdue only goes on 0.73 per game, while conceding 0.27. The Boilermakers' ability to score the basketball throughout the game will be necessary in defending against long scoring runs by Auburn.
Key No. 2: Compete on the glass
Auburn outrebounds their opponents by about nine rebounds per game. Conversely, Purdue only outrebounds their opponents by less than two per game. Purdue has struggled against teams with strong frontcourts as well, being tied or outrebounded by every major conference team but one, NC State.
The road for Purdue may be easier in this regard, as new reports indicate star Auburn center Johni Broome is unlikely to play per Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl. Broome was the early frontrunner for national player of the year, and was rated as Auburn's clear best player by Evan Miya.
Key No. 3: Win the backcourt battle
With Broome likely being sidelined for this game, it becomes imperative that Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer win their backcourt matchups. All three of Auburn's top rated players on evanmiya.com are pieces in the frontcourt, as Broome is joined by Chad Baker-Mazara and Dylan Cardwell to round out the top 3.
However, freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford has developed a big game reputation. The star freshman has a 21 point performance against Houston, a 20 point game on the road at Duke and a 14 point showing against Iowa State in Maui. If Pettiford can provide a scoring punch it could spell trouble for Purdue.
To combat that is star point guard Braden Smith. Smith on paper is the best guard in this game, and if Broome is out, projects to be the best player in the game. A big performance from Smith would put Purdue in a good spot to pull off the upset.